LG Begins Rolling Out AirPlay 2 and HomeKit to 2018 Smart TVs

LG has started rolling out a software update that includes AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support for select 2018 smart TV models, according to multiple MacRumors readers, delivering on a promise the company made earlier this year.

lg homekit tv
AirPlay 2 enables users to stream videos, music, podcasts, and more directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to a compatible LG smart TV, with no Apple TV necessary. HomeKit allows users to control the TV's power, volume, and more using the Home app or Siri. These features are also available on select Samsung, Sony, and Vizio smart TVs.

LG initially said that AirPlay 2 and HomeKit would be limited to its 2019 and newer TV models, since it could not "guarantee" a "seamless user experience" on older models, resulting in tens of thousands of people petitioning the company to reconsider.

Earlier this year, LG also made the Apple TV app available on select 2018 smart TVs.

(Thanks, Maarten and Tristan!)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...

Top Rated Comments

easy4lif Avatar
67 months ago

Because your smartphone costs over $1,000 to put that tech in a 6" screen (as opposed to the cost of a 50"+ panel) and most consumers won't even consider a TV priced in that range.
This is why I’ll stick to streaming boxes like Apple TV. Just let a tv be a tv and streaming box a streaming box.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
silvia_18 Avatar
67 months ago
This could be helpful:



Attachment Image
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Icaras Avatar
67 months ago
Now 2017 please
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DinkThifferent Avatar
67 months ago
It’s absolutely ridiculous that a manufacturer did not even want to upgrade a 2 year old TV, but only did so after public pressure. The screens are amazing but the hardware and software running it are horrific.

My 4 year old Samsung 4K TV doesn’t receive any updates anymore, and the apps that are on it are from abysmal quality. Yes that includes YouTube and Netflix.

Why can smartphones have super fast processors but do TV’s behave like they run on a 233Mhz Pentium straight out of 1997.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
silvia_18 Avatar
67 months ago
Here’s hoping today is the day
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MauiPa Avatar
67 months ago

It’s absolutely ridiculous that a manufacturer did not even want to upgrade a 2 year old TV, but only did so after public pressure. The screens are amazing but the hardware and software running it are horrific.

My 4 year old Samsung 4K TV doesn’t receive any updates anymore, and the apps that are on it are from abysmal quality. Yes that includes YouTube and Netflix.

Why can smartphones have super fast processors but do TV’s behave like they run on a 233Mhz Pentium straight out of 1997.
I never understood that either, seems like a minimum shelf life for support. My LG TV started blinking (a known power supply issue on LGs) they made like a honey badger and did not care. Say what you want about AppleTV, but they do get upgraded and supported until the hardware literally does not accept the upgrade (32 bit to 64 bit was last hurdle)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)